How to recognise encrypted files and folders

SmartEncrypt encrypts files automatically wherever there is an Encryption Rule in place.  This means that any file added to, edited, or created in a location governed by an Encryption Rule will be encrypted automatically on-the-fly. 

 

Recognising encrypted files

Files and folders encrypted with SmartEncrypt are easily identifiable by the signature blue SmartEncrypt icon overlay on the file or folder thumbnail.

 

 

 

Good to know...
1. Even if the SmartEncrypt software is not logged in, you will still see the SmartEncrypt icon on encrypted files.
2. Users without SmartEncrypt installed will not see the SmartEncrypt icon.

 

 

If for some reason, the SmartEncrypt icons are not visible, you can also determine if a file is encrypted by right-clicking and selecting SmartEncrypt >> Show Encryption State from the context menu. 

 

 

This will launch the File Encryption State window which shows additional information about the selected file, including the Encryption Key used to encrypt the file.

 

File encryption state for an encrypted file, Subscription Plans.docx

 

 

 

 

Note: The 'Show Encryption State' option will not be available in the context menu if the file is not encrypted

 

Identifying encrypted files in OneDrive

Unlike other locations, the SmartEncrypt icon does not appear as an overlay on file thumbnails. Instead, a “SmartEncrypt” status column has been added to the Explorer "Details view" which displays the SmartEncrypt icon and encryption status. In the image below, the "Sensitive Files" folder, "signature.jpg" and "Sales Contract.docx" files are encrypted. 

 

If you do not usually use the "Details view", you can quickly and easily switch to this mode and back by either:

1. clicking on the thumbnail/details toggle icon located in the bottom right-hand corner of the Explorer window; or
2. holding the keys simultaneously.

 

 

Good to know...
1. The "Encrypted" state is only visible for files or folders that are locally available  (that is, they have the green tick icon or a solid green circle with white checkmark icons)
2. When files or folders are Online-only (with the blue cloud icon status), there is no SmartEncrypt context menu option to encrypt files.  You must first make those files/folders available locally to encrypt or decrypt them manually.